When Timberwolves forward Chase Budinger returned from meniscus injuries in his left knee last season, team President Flip Saunders said the franchise should have sent him to the NBA Development League.

“We probably made a mistake,” Saunders said Tuesday.

Instead, Budinger’s rehab came in 41 games, starting Jan. 8. He played 39 games before a 24-point outburst April 5 against Miami. The next day, a sprained ankle shut him down for the season’s final six games.

“It was one of those blah moments,” Budinger said.

Without a brace, Budinger participated in Tuesday’s minicamp practice. He was kept out of segments with contact.

“It’s the best I’ve felt since before my injuries,” Budinger said.

He said he felt more stable with movements, sensed more lift on his jump shot and was simply worry-free.

“His legs seem a lot livelier,” Saunders said. “He has a lot more arch on his shot.”

Budinger will travel to Las Vegas for the summer league, but it’s unclear if he will play in any of the at least five games on the schedule.

LaVine signs

The Wolves announced that first-round draft pick Zach LaVine had signed. Terms of the rookie contract for the 13th overall pick were not released by the franchise.

For reference, Boston signed Kelly Olynyk, the No. 13 pick in 2013, for $1.9 million last season, and the contract increases to $3 million in 2016-17.

“The rookies right now are pretty much locked in as far was what they do, what they get and everything else,” said Saunders.

LaVine, a 6-foot-5 combination guard from UCLA, is in Minnesota to prepare for the Las Vegas summer league.

LaVine, who made only one start during his freshman season in 2013-14, averaged 9.4 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 37 games for the Bruins. His 48 made three-pointers were second-most by a UCLA freshman in school history.

Cramped style

Saunders said three or four players had cramps during Tuesday’s two practices, including Shabazz Muhammad and Glenn Robinson.

“They find out really quick what they have to get used to,” Saunders said.

Budinger said he had a positive first impression of Saunders, the team’s new coach, and his staff.

“They are a lot more vocal and very energetic out there,” Budinger said. “All the coaches were involved and really teaching a lot and a lot tougher practices, especially talking to the guys that played here last year, they are all incredibly sore.”

Briefly

Watertown, Minn., native Matt Janning was added to the summer league roster. The Northeastern graduate played for Montepaschi in Italy last season.

Andy Greder covers two varieties of football — Minnesota Gophers and Minnesota United, aka the club embarking into Major League Soccer this year. Since joining the Pioneer Press full time in November 2013, he’s also covered the Timberwolves as a beat and spot duty from the Vikings to high schools. He was a part-time breaking news reporter at the Pioneer Press from 2011-13, when he was also a freelance writer and organic farmer. He started at the Duluth News Tribune in 2006, covering sports, news and business until living abroad in 2010.

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